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Post by Ann70 on May 11, 2019 13:57:48 GMT
hi paul, yes i had the same thing last year with the wren nest didn't get chosen, but i feel we have an active one now i have seen the wren go for a meal break on occasions, seen nothing of her today so far
ive had to remove my caged ground feeder as the starlings have been getting in and eating the lot, all my feeders are caged, my scott feeders is out but the starlings still find a way. ive now built a brick surrounding on the table which ive put the scott feeder in with only the front showing, now im hoping bluetits will find it. i am missing the robin and great tits coming to get their food from ground feeder but i just can't cope with the mass of starlings keep coming, thanks for the update, sad about the loss of a chick,but i suppose it happens especially as it was one of the stronger ones lovely photos Paul
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Post by suep on May 11, 2019 15:03:11 GMT
So sad about the sparrow Paul , we never quite know why these things happen. loving the pictures of Tatty using the Scott feeder - my blue tits have still to find mine. The sparrows are really frustrated cause they can see the worms but can’t get to them . Sue
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Post by Ann70 on May 11, 2019 16:15:57 GMT
looks like ive found a solution to my caged ground feeder,ive covered it with lightweight garden mesh and tied it on with garden ties, and ive just noticed the greatits and robin have found the opening to get the crumbled suet, even martha came down but didn't find way in on that occasion.i must keep my regular birds in the garden,
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 13, 2019 10:50:30 GMT
I’m in complete shock, Another pair of sparrows overtook my box this morning and the new female then removed the egg that didn’t hatch, After that she tried to kill my two chicks, One chick as the skin ripped off it’s head as she bashed its head in over and over again and started chocking it in the nest, I couldn’t watch this happen so I got ladder and removed both chicks, I am taking them a wildlife centre they would of been died within the hour if I didn’t, the chicks looked shocked as they was getting ragged and hit and bite my heart broke for them, I won’t do a close up picture cause it’s sickening what she’s done to one of there heads, I have now bathed it’s little head but it’s in bad condition, I have never witnessed anything like this and hope I don’t again, two chicks are now safe was only days from fledging! I can take them the centre tomorrow so today I am going to try and feed them. I know some you would let nature happen and let them die but that’s not me to watch two innocent chicks get their heads bashed in no I couldn’t do it!
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merylt
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by merylt on May 13, 2019 11:00:28 GMT
Paul that's terrible. I wouldn't be able to do nothing either especially as they're very near fledging.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 13, 2019 11:13:20 GMT
Awful to witness, It was leave them let them get killed in a horrible way or save them and give them a chance. I went with saving them, They're both taken mealworms off me which is brilliant they have a real shot now with feeding off me and going to a wildlife centre tomorrow. I guess a new male bullied our original ones out which then lead them to needing to kill the chicks to take over the box fully. Just horrible nature can be cruel at times so cruel, Anyway they're safe now. Lets see what happens with the sparrow box over the coming days!
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 13, 2019 12:09:08 GMT
Can't believe what I am seeing, The new female is nest building in the box already!!! And you want to know the worse thing about it all?! its not a new pair its same male! So our original female must of died and hes paired up with a new female and the old chicks "had to go" bloody disgusting. The chicks are both feeding off me though there ok, Even the one with the bloody head. Fingers crossed for this two My respect for our male sparrows gone down, letting his chicks to be killed what a joke, Never been so mad in my life. Right I think I need to log off now and calm down and look after these little ones. Sorry for my rant, You all know how much I love my birds and we go above and beyond for them.
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Post by suep on May 13, 2019 12:33:22 GMT
Paul, how awful for you to witness, but a good thing you did or you wouldn’t have been able to save them. I also would have had to try and rescue them. For me, you did the right thing. Poor little birds to be hurt in the place that should be safe for them. Nature, as you say, can be really really cruel and we don’t know how these birds think or feel or why they act as they do. It does sound positive that the injured one is feeding Paul, at least it has a chance now and definitely the other ones chances look very good. Well done you. I know how angry you must be with your male, but they obviously don’t ‘feel’ emotion the way we do. Big hugs Paul . Sue
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 13, 2019 13:12:19 GMT
Glad you understand Sue, I am sure most on here will were all the same when it comes to our nests. I have put them inside a old bird box now, Give them more of a feel they have been used to. Only taken the lid off to feed them, I am please they are both feeding.
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Post by sammi on May 13, 2019 13:36:53 GMT
What an awful thing to witness Paul. Great rescue work. They are so lucky to be alive. I do hope they do well. It does make you realise how cut throat nature is. But it's unbelievable he would see his own offspring killed like that. So lucky they'll take Mealworm off you too.
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Post by Amanda on May 13, 2019 16:32:03 GMT
OMG how awful to witness that I would have done exactly the same Paul, you did the right thing. Im so glad they are feeding from you and I’m sure with your good care they will become strong enough to have normal birdie lives
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Post by matt on May 13, 2019 16:32:27 GMT
OMG Paul, what an awful thing to witness! I must say you do seem to get more than your fair share of drama - although probably just seems that way because you have so many nests on the go! Good job on the rescue, and good idea to use an old box and make them feel at home. Fingers crossed for the little guys.
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Post by Delilah on May 13, 2019 18:17:57 GMT
Gosh.. that was dramatic reading, Paul. Yes, terrible things go in the bird world (as in all worlds, sadly) and good for you for the rescue. It is all well and good to say let nature take it's course.. but if we interfere by supplying birdboxes, feed etc. in the first place, then we have every right to do what we can to save these creatures when things go wrong. XX (Oddly enough, I have never heard anyone having a verbal go at cuckoos.. but really they have quite beastly habits.)
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Post by elle on May 13, 2019 21:00:46 GMT
Oh Paul, you must have been traumatised as well as the poor chicks, to witness such horrendous goings on! The poor chicks must have been wondering what on earth was going on from their own dad makes you wonder if the female has succumb to the same fate as the chicks were heading! So much for the males being loyal Seems the bird world is very much the same as the human world!! I know there is no better hands for the chicks to be in than yours Paul, don’t even think the wildlife centre would give them a better chance than what they have with you. I wish you every ounce of a successful outcome Paul as you know I fed abandoned chicks a few years ago and it was so hard, I’m sure with your determination you will get through it Good luck Paul Elle xx
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2019 9:01:35 GMT
These birds are never the "cute" creatures we make them out to be. They are the descendants of dinosaurs. Not a pretty sight for you Paul. It would be fascinating to know what happened to the other female as they tend to defend their young to the death.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 14, 2019 9:12:40 GMT
Well well well, I got it totally wrong with our Male, After slagging him off He did come in the box yesterday and hes been back in the box this morning. However another males also been in and a huge fight took place, It looks like my first guess was right. A new pair is taken over the box but our old male is still knocking about, I think the new pair will win the box the new male looks a young one. Heaven's know why they're fighting for boxes, I have plenty of them, Sparrows must love something about this one box I guess. Both chicks still doing well this morning, Both feeding off me both jumping to front of the nest box looking out the hole! I have decided I am not going to take them any centre, I am going to do it all myself with them feeding off me and at stage they're at now I don't think they will die. I feel like actual sh!t like, I work nights so don't get home till gone 3am, Normally asleep for 4am then today was up at 6am to feed them, I keep having broken sleep in between feeds. Save to say by the end of this I am going to look like a zombie but it will be worth it, If am not as active on here you know I am half dead! I'll do blue tit video update in the coming days, Eyes open now and getting feathers, All 7 still doing great, 2 of them are not a developed as the other 5 yet (hatched 2 days later) but thanks to the live food they aren't being under fed. Tatty relys on the mealworms / waxworms however romeo doesn't use them at all, He brings in all natural food, Caterpillars, spiders etc So chicks getting nice healthy balance between natural food and mealworms / waxworms at moment, I think the older they get he will start using the feeder like Tatty but we will see. Off to feed the chicks, These will be the most fed sparrows in the area I think!
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Post by suep on May 14, 2019 9:52:00 GMT
Good on you Paul, a very safe pair of hands. You will need something to keep your eyes open after all this . Hope the poor little sparrows head heals before he takes off into the big wide world. Fantastic effort Paul. Sue
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 14, 2019 16:12:55 GMT
Oh Paul what an awful thing to happen . I think you did exactly the right thing , and I wish you all the luck in the world for those two little chicks. This year seems to be a year of dramas . 😩 Chris.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 15, 2019 12:44:56 GMT
Little sparrows doing well, Both still feeding off me. One with the bad head as been healing pretty good i'll post picture below the one looking up at camera is the one with the bad head. He/She is totally bald on the head because of it, Poor little thing took the worse of the two. One with the bad head though seems to like me most, Other one is still abit scared, However the one with bad head always seems happy to see me They both fledged the nest box this morning in the spare room, Been flying around the room! I am going to keep hold of them for another week or so, Let this ones head fully heal, I will then let them go in the back garden with the other sparrow chicks / sparrows. Anyway heres a picture below of the little ones. Can honestly say I have had around 6 hours "proper" sleep in 48 hours and the odd cat nap here and there but its worth it.
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Post by Beechnut on May 15, 2019 14:49:26 GMT
It makes me sick to the stomach to see that Paul, well done you for rescuing them and I hope they recover well enough to fledge at the rescue centre.
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Post by matt on May 15, 2019 15:07:30 GMT
One with the bad head though seems to like me most, Other one is still abit scared, However the one with bad head always seems happy to see me Oh dear, it looks like that bang on the head was more serious than we thought Seriously though Paul, looks like you are doing a great job! Looking after them now they have fledged but are still dependent to some extent will probably be the hardest part. Are you throwing some meal worms around on the floor for them?
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 15, 2019 16:54:44 GMT
Just dangle the worm infront their beaks and they grab them off me Matt, Seem to like the waxworms more, I've been feeding them every 15 mins or so. Sometimes they don't take it so I know not hungry alot hard work but it be worth it, Atleast now they have a chance at life.
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chrisp
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by chrisp on May 15, 2019 18:49:56 GMT
So glad the chicks are doing ok Paul. When you release them will just muck in with the other groups of young sparrows around your garden. Be nice to keep an eye on him. Chris.
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Post by sammi on May 15, 2019 20:47:48 GMT
Great to see they are doing well. I hope you can stay awake to see them safely into the wild. I have visions of you fast asleep with two baby sparrows perched on your head. and mealworm everywhere. Seriously good luck with all of this.
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Post by suep on May 15, 2019 20:50:14 GMT
Wonderful job Paul. The one with the poorly head obviously likes you the most because you stopped that horrid bird hurting him any more and you have been nothing but kindness to him. The other one just obviously has no taste. So happy they are doing well and hope you won’t be too exhausted at the end of it al. Pat on the back Paul - well done Sue
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